Summary

Organic farmers are obliged, in compliance with the valid legislation, to use seed originating from the organic production when establishing the crop stands. In a survey we found certified organic cereal seed is used on 6 %, conventional untreated seed on 37 %, and farm seed on 57 % (of the organically farmed area in the Czech Republic). The main reasons for that are as follows: the insufficient surface of land intended for the reproduction of organic seed, the low proportion of accepted seed coming from the accepted reproduction surface. Therefore, low-quality farm seed is used on a large proportion of organically farmed land, which has a negative effect on the yield level of the cereals. These observations were also confirmed by results obtained in a farmer survey. Farmers indicated that they are interested in certified organic seed if it is available. However, the sufficient supply and favourable prices are important for them.